CHARTER-PARTY, a written or partly written and partly printed contract, by which a ship is let or hired for the conveyance of goods on a specified voyage, or for a definite period. By the terms of this contract the owners declare the ship to be “tight, stanch, strong, and every way fitted for the voyage;” and they are accordingly liable in damages to the merchant or charterer, if the ship be unseaworthy, or if they fail to provide her with any necessary equipment or clearances. The shipowners are further bound to have the vessel ready to receive her cargo at the stipulated time; and they are responsible for the proper stowage of the goods received on board. On the loading being completed, the vessel must proceed without delay to her appointed destination; and should she unnecessarily deviate from the regular course of the voyage (a proceeding which might vitiate the merchant’s insurances), the owners are liable in damages to the merchant. On arrival at the port of destination the goods are to be delivered “agreeably to bills of lading,” the responsibility of the shipowners in this particular being limited by the usual exception against loss or damage by “the act of God, the queen’s enemies, fire, and all and every other dangers and accidents of the seas, rivers, and navigation of whatever nature and kind soever.” The freight payable to the shipowners is the amount specified in the charter-party, which may in certain cases be either more or less than the rates mentioned in the bills of lading,—the charterer having usually the right of sub-letting the ship in part or in whole to other shippers, on terms agreed upon between themselves, which it is customary to specify in their separate bills of lading, without prejudice to the original agreement. In such ...